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Old 02-25-2021, 07:51 AM   #1
rockfla
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Default The question of the day?

SO
What would happen IF one tried to start one of our beloved V8 with the battery hooked up backwards.....I.E. Negative ground?
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Old 02-25-2021, 08:11 AM   #2
51 MERC-CT
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Default Re: The question of the day?

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SO
What would happen IF one tried to start one of our beloved V8 with the battery hooked up backwards.....I.E. Negative ground?
You might screw up the ignition or electrical system BUT the starter doesn't care, it's not polarity sensitive and will turn in the same direction.
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Old 02-25-2021, 08:13 AM   #3
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Default Re: The question of the day?

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You might screw up the ignition or electrical system BUT the starter doesn't care, it's not polarity sensitive and will turn in the same direction.
SO 51Mec-CT


"Screw up" the electrical??? What does "screw up" mean?? what electrical parts???
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Old 02-25-2021, 09:48 AM   #4
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Default Re: The question of the day?

The coil will work reversed (but weaked), the generator won't work. Did it start? Just attempting to start it shouldn't do much. Install the battery correctly and see if it will start and run.
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Old 02-25-2021, 09:52 AM   #5
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Default Re: The question of the day?

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The coil will work reversed (but weaked), the generator won't work. Did it start? Just attempting to start it shouldn't do much. Install the battery correctly and see if it will start and run.
It supposedly ran for maybe 10 seconds!!!! He said there was "arcing" and I tried to get more out of him on that to NO avail!!!! SO I assume it had to do with my other post on the "Two coil" wiring
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Old 02-25-2021, 09:58 AM   #6
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Ok, this is a 4 cylinder. Most likely the generator putting out current opposite the battery connection!
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Old 02-27-2021, 04:27 PM   #7
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Default Re: The question of the day?

I used to tell students not to hook up a battery with reversed polarity, it will make the headlights shine backwards!
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Old 02-27-2021, 04:35 PM   #8
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I used to tell students not to hook up a battery with reversed polarity, it will make the headlights shine backwards!
Does that make the tail/stoplight brighter also?
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Old 02-27-2021, 04:49 PM   #9
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I used to tell students not to hook up a battery with reversed polarity, it will make the headlights shine backwards!
Did they do that in the old days with model Ts going up hills in reverse?
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Old 02-27-2021, 06:08 PM   #10
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Default Re: The question of the day?

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Did they do that in the old days with model Ts going up hills in reverse?
Do ya remember WHY folks went up hills backwards in Model Ts? DD
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Old 02-27-2021, 06:18 PM   #11
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Default Re: The question of the day?

Yes, 2 things, possibly has to do with the level of the fuel tank to the carburetor. No fuel pump to push fuel from a LOW TANK to the carb if going up hill. More likely reverse was lower and could pull better than first going backwards.
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Old 02-27-2021, 06:18 PM   #12
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Default Re: The question of the day?

I’ll take a shot.......lower gearing in reverse?.......Mark
41 panelmark types faster than I do.
But now that I think about it the fuel thing makes sense too.
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Old 02-27-2021, 07:00 PM   #13
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Default Re: The question of the day?

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I’ll take a shot.......lower gearing in reverse?.......Mark
41 panelmark types faster than I do.
But now that I think about it the fuel thing makes sense too.
How in $%*_) did the question of what happens if you try to start a V8 with the battery hooked up wrong, degenerate into a discussion of a Model T going up a hill backyard????? Inquiring minds want to know. LOL
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Old 02-27-2021, 07:10 PM   #14
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Default Re: The question of the day?

Maybe they back up hill so they can see where they've been rather than where they're going?
As for the original question...starter may not care, other areas might not like it... and the 2nd question, will it continue to run if you disconnect the battery all together?
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Old 02-28-2021, 05:15 PM   #15
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Default Re: The question of the day?

Ignoring Lawson, My dad always talked about having to back up some hills in his 60v.
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Old 02-28-2021, 05:25 PM   #16
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Default Re: The question of the day?

Backing up a hill puts the motor (carburetor) lower than the gas tank. I think the tank was under the seat, when the level was low it barely ran into the carb.
Plenty of positive ground cars and tractors have had a battery hooked up backwards. The amp gauge reading wrong is a clue that that's what has happened. It can wreck the generator, but the car will run.
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Old 02-28-2021, 05:46 PM   #17
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Default Re: The question of the day?

when you go up frontwards all you see is the hill Go up backwards and the view is amazing
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Old 02-28-2021, 06:11 PM   #18
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Default Re: The question of the day?

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Do ya remember WHY folks went up hills backwards in Model Ts? DD

Come on Coop, we weren't born yesterday!


Actually, Fathers did it so the kids could retrieve any marbles that fell out of their pockets.
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Old 02-28-2021, 06:12 PM   #19
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Default Re: The question of the day?

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How in $%*_) did the question of what happens if you try to start a V8 with the battery hooked up wrong, degenerate into a discussion of a Model T going up a hill backyard????? Inquiring minds want to know. LOL

Lawson, did you just call me a degenerate?
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